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Demian Bichir joins 'Hidalgo-Moliere' film

Movie centers on father of Mexican independence movement

Demian Bichir has signed on to star in the Mexican film "Hidalgo-Moliere," about the father of the Mexican independence movement.

The actor also is in talks for a starring role in an untitled drama about South Florida gang leader Leona Sanchez.

Antonio Serrano ("Sex, Shame and Tears") is directing "Hidalgo-Moliere," which focuses on Hidalgo's early years in the theater and his rise to leading the Mexican War of Independence in the early 1800s. Ana de la Reguera ("Nacho Libre") co-stars.

Luis Urquiza Modragon is producing for Astillero Films. The film begins shooting today in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

The Sanchez project, which carries a working title of "Lady Scarface," is being directed by Ernest Dickerson ("The Wire") from a screenplay by Tony Puryear and Susannah Grant. It tells the story of a young Colombian woman who rises to power as the leader of a South Florida gang, Los Curramberos.

Bichir is in talks to play Pedro, the gang leader who takes Leona as his girlfriend without realizing the scope of her ambition. Principal photography is scheduled for early next year in Alicante, Spain.

Zanne Devinne and Kevin Cornish are producing for RKO Pictures, Jesus Martinez is producing for Galavis Film in Spain, and Kevin Mann is producing for Picture Machine. Matthew Perniciaro of Coalition Film is executive producing.

Repped by UTA and manager Sekka Scher, Bichir played the young Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh's "Che" and is a regular role on Showtime's "Weeds." He is shooting the indie pic "The Runway."